I used to own chickens. Lots and lots of the little birds ran around the yard, plopped out eggs, and made more chicks. I am an animal lover, and I got to know these birds like the back of my hand. Instead of doing the typical teen things, I would play with the chickens or the dogs or the cats. But, this entry is specifically about those lesser-known fowls.
I know more about chickens than I almost care to admit, but for the sake of this entry I will admit it anyway. I know how to identify several different breeds. I personally owned Rhode Island Reds and Bantams. There are several types of 'Comb" on a hen or rooster, and they have their own names based on what they looked like. I only ever had one bird with a "rosebud" comb.
I also know that chickens will kill and eat snakes, especially if some defenseless chicks are nearby. I know how to put a chicken into a trance. I know how to make chickens freak out to the point where they all cluck constantly until they think the danger is over.
I also found something interesting about chickens. They can be smart. Believe it or not, chickens can be intelligent if you let them be. The birds that got more personal attention and who were less afraid of humans (or just me) did not appear as dumb as the others. Mother hens would allow me to touch their chicks because they understood I would cause them no harm. I had one chicken--this was really funny-- that was roosting on some eggs at the same time my dog had her puppies. The chicken lived in the doghouse, sat on her eggs, and watched after the puppies like some nanny.
Chickens have their own lingo. There are certain noises they make when they are curious or interested in something, noises when they are pointing something out to a neighboring bird, and clucks for when danger may be around. The rooster has several moves. Sometimes he's putting the moves on a lady friend, other times he's gearing up to fight with a rival.
So there are some things you didn't know about these birds, aren't there? They can be smart, they have their own lingo, and their own gestures. When shown respect and acceptance, and understanding could be reached between farm animal and human.
So, think now. Am I still talking about chickens?
I used to have rhode island reds. We got them cheap because they were experimental which is sad. They had the best eggs you will ever eat in your life! As a present I had some baby chicks for easter when I was younger. I love animals also. I don't like roosters though, although they are good to have with chickens to keep them calm. One flogged me and raked down my back because I didn't realize I was wearing red boots. I got hurt pretty bad but it didn't require stitches. Chickens are really smart like you said. Ours used to try and fly out of their coop. Good blog. I liked it. I miss my chickens :(
I am here to inform and help:
http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what
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I miss my chickens too...it's weird to go from having 40 chickens to having none. You probably understand how that came about. Farm birds are accident and predator prone.
Your roosters attacked you because you wore red boots? Wow. Never heard that one before.
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Rhode Island Reds are the best. I had chickens when I was a kid... and then my Dad made me give them to a farm because they pooped on his car.
: )
Our chickens chose the porch and the milkhouse personally....
I remember we got this one R. I. Red that was rescued from a cockfighting ring/caged life. One of those. Anywho, this bird was like a mutant. He was HUGE and he had a missing toe. And you know what? That freak was a pretty cool bird and gentle as could be.
I guess Dani and you haven't had Bantams then? They are really cool. They're very small, lay tiny pastel eggs that could be blue or green or pink. And they have fuzzy feet and an afro!
Okay....talking WAY too much about chickens at this point.
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Is that they were rhode island reds. They actually laid brown speckled eggs. They were experimental and the person who did that took part of their beaks off. They were still fine though. They weren't fluffy though. They had reddish feathers and were medium sized. We had close to the same amount of chickens you had. But we had to move...and couldn't afford to take them. Some scary people put them in the bed of their truck. I honestly think they were planning on eating them. That sux. I don't know much about chickens like name wise such as bantams, I just know they were rhode island reds. That chicken you rescued sounded cool.
Roosters don't like red...from what I found out, but I believe they also don't like anyone messing with their chickens. Because they are the protectors. I'm sure you probably know that because you seem more of a chicken expert than me...
I am here to inform and help:
http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what
Love comments? I do too!
"Chicken Expert". Oh how sad. :)
I honestly didn't know the red thing. I just know what I've observed. I guess I didn't wear red then....?
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Hey, stand up and be proud!
Many young people are too busy gossiping behind people's backs and participating in other foolish activities then actually learning things. Cleaning up chicken poo is gross, but taking care of the critters can be a great way to learn and grow in a healthy way.
*tries to be proud*
You're right, of course. I mean, who else was crazy enough to use an experience of raising chickens to use as a metaphor?
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I raised chickens also instead of other things. Be proud to have had the experience!
Awesome blog! Fresh look at chickens, thanks for the firsthand perspective.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/jloigman
Thanks!
I thought posting something a little different would be a nice change. I believe this day was the day of incredibly repetitive blogs...so I had to break up the monotony.
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